Students spend a majority of their year in the classroom. In Ohio, schools are required to be open for instruction for a minimum of 910 hours for students in kindergarten through 6th grade, and 1,001 hours for students in 7th through 12th grades, according to the Department of Education & Workforce.
Spending this much time in classes may lead to students feeling bored or in need of something to grasp their attention during the school day. School teachers and other staff members keeping this in mind when lesson planning for the coming school year can help elevate the education their students receive while keeping their attention throughout the class period.
Shari Herszage, director of admissions and development and marketing coordinator at Columbus Torah Academy in Columbus, explained the new school year is an opportunity for fresh education and growth for students.
“Every school is new start for students and their academic growth,” she noted. “By staying progressive with education and meeting the needs of our students, learning stays interesting and exciting. There is so much excitement with the start of the school year and that makes it interesting and new every year.”
While keeping up with students’ needs is important, each grade level will require different lessons and age-appropriate ways that make their education feel fresh, she noted, adding that one way to ensure the needs of each student are met is by setting educational goals that are “age, grade and developmentally appropriate.”
Another common way a lesson plan might be able to grab students’ attention is through the use of technology, which is prevalent and ever-changing in today’s world, she explained.
“Students need to be skilled and proficient in using technology in today’s economy,” she said. “We approach technology use in the classroom and for learning in the same way. The skills are essential and the tool of technology advances learning.”
Technology has become an important part of education, but it isn’t the only method teachers can use to keep the attention on learning, as “modes of learning and teaching are unlimited,” Herszage said. Continuing education through hands-on experience is essential to participation and interest in the subject matter.
“Teachers want to engage their students in the learning topics and skill building that will give them the most opportunities and advantages for future success,” she said. “Hands-on and practical experiences are important to make learning come alive.”
By ensuring lesson plans remain interesting to students during the changing times, schools can be confident that their students are growing and learning throughout the year, she noted. Student engagement is key to retaining information, and oftentimes schools will track educational growth from the beginning to the end of the school year.
“We rely heavily on data tracking and formal and informal assessments to gauge the growth a student is having,” she said. “Individual student growth is different for each student. We want to see a year of growth in a year’s time. Success can look different, but it has to be rooted in confidence, direction and opportunity.”
Grabbing students’ attention can also lead them to a subject they might not have connected with previously, allowing them to develop a love for learning, she added.
“Just like in the workplace, loving what you are doing is half the battle,” Herszage said. “We want our students to try different things and to find their passion. At the earliest ages, they can start to find appreciation for what they enjoy and develop the skills and knowledge in those areas.”
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